Charles Benjamin Keenen ’52

Charles Benjamin Keenen ’52 passed away in Holly Hill, Florida, on April 1. Charles was born on September 25, 1930, in Wilmington, Delaware. He graduated from Swarthmore (Pennsylvania) High School and from Dartmouth. He was an economics major, a member of Sigma Chi and Dragon Society, and a varsity soccer player. Charles joined the U.S. Navy and served as an officer on the USS Henry W. Tucker during the Korean conflict. Charles married Charlotte on June 5, 1954. They met in Springfield, Massachusetts, on a blind date arranged by Chuck’s sister, Peg. Charles received his master’s from Springfield College and earned his doctorate of education from Boston University. Charles spent the bulk of his career working in education administration, including positions with the University of Florida and Germanna Community College in Virginia. Following his tenure at Germanna, Charles and Charlotte bought and managed an Oceanside hotel, the Ambassador East, in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In 1990 they sold the motel and moved to Ormand Beach, Florida, where Charles worked in real estate, first as a realtor and eventually as an appraiser. In 2014 they moved to Bishop Glen Retirement Community in Holly Hill. Charles and Charlotte served as building representatives to help new residents acclimate to the campus and to host building parties and activities. He is survived by Charlotte; children Catherine, Gary, Willis, and Mary; and 10 grandchildren.